A GIRL LIKE ME: THE GWEN ARAUJO STORY
June 19 at 9 pm et/pt

Director: Agnieszka Holland
Year: 2006
Genre: Drama
Starring: J.D. Pardo, Mercedes Ruehl

Plot:

It isn't always easy being honest with your mom when you're a teenager. That's an understatement for Eddie Araujo. This adolescent boy comes to the conclusion that he was born in the wrong body and is meant to be female. But how do you tell something like that to your mother? Despite disapproval, Eddie begins to transform himself — growing his hair long, wearing women's clothes and makeup, and even changing his name to Gwen. But the teen's struggle for acceptance wouldn't be easy. All Eddie wanted was to feel normal, and the backlash he faced as a result will shock you. Based on a true story.

This comes on tonight. Entertainment Weekly gives it a very positive rating.

Here's their review:

A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story (Lifetime, TV-14-L)

This telefilm dramatizes the short life of Araujo (American Dreams' revelatory J.D. Pardo), a real-life transgendered teen murdered in 2002, and it's predictably heavy with portent. But what sets the horrifying story of this Girl apart from its lesser TV-movie brethren is a streak of much-needed warmth. When her exasperated grandmother asks Gwen's mother (Mercedes Ruehl, excellent as usual) if she would let Gwen dress like a banana, the response is quick and telling: ''No, absolutely not. He doesn't look good in yellow.''

A- —Nicholas Fonseca


I'm really looking forward to this one. Sounds like it could be one of the best movies of the year and it's not even going to be in theaters. J.D. Pardo seems to give one of the best performances of the year as well. I normally don't watch Lifetime movies but it looks really good and I plan on watching it for sure.

An important and interesting film with some great performances, especially by Mercedes Ruehl, who deserves to win an award or so for her performance.

8/10 (B+)